China plans to scale AI heights by 2025

Artificial intelligence is garnering increased attention over the last few years thanks to increase research and development by private companies as well as educational and research institutes around the world.

Governments aren’t going to be left behind with China outlining plans to become a world-leader in artificial intelligence by 2025, laying down a challenge to US dominance in the sector amid heightened international tensions over military applications of the technology.

China released its national AI development plan this week geared towards growing country’s core AI industries to over CNY 150 billion ($22.15 billion) by 2020 and CNY 400 billion ($59.07 billion) by 2025.

China intends to rival major technology corporations of the US including Alphabet Inc’s Google and Microsoft, as it is keen not to be left behind in a technology that is increasingly key from smart cars to energy.

Beijing’s AI plan comes as the United States is poised to bolster its scrutiny of investments, including artificial intelligence, over fears that countries including China could access technology of strategic military importance.

China’s State Council said the “situation with China on national security and international competition is complex”, which was part of the incentive for making a domestic AI push.”We must take initiative to firmly grasp this new stage of development for artificial intelligence and create a new competitive edge,” it said.